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Board of Education
July 12, 2022 – Regular Meeting
Via Zoom
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Alexander Oliphant, Vice Chair Mary Tomasi, Donna Antonacci,
Margo Gignac, Christopher Rivers, Rosemary Gignac.
ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: Interim Superintendent Dr. Thomas McDowell, Business
Director Rachel Linkkila.
1. MEETING OPENING
1.1 Call to Order
Chair Alex Oliphant called this Regular Meeting to order at 6:05 pm.
1.2 Roll Call
A roll call taken to establish a quorum.
1.3 Pledge of Allegiance
Chair Oliphant led the Board members in the pledge of allegiance.
2. ADDITIONS/CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
Motion by: M. Tomasi
to add Item 5.3 Status of Board Vacancy and Item 5.4 Update on the High School
Principal Position.
Second by: C. Rivers.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
Motion by: D. Antonacci
to add Policy 9221 Filling Board Vacancies to the agenda as Item 5.5
Second by: C. Rivers.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
No comments were received.
4. REPORT FROM SUPERINTENDENT
4.1 Superintendent Update
Interim Superintendent McDowell met with Glenn McGrath regarding the special
education survey for parents of Special Education students. Parents were involved in
the preparation of the survey. The Superintendent and Board members will review the
survey questions next week.
4.2 BA Student Alexandra Skilton State of CT Doodle for Google Winner
Alexandra Skilton, a grade 12 student at Bacon Academy, won the Connecticut
Doodle for Google design competition. She is now representing the State of Connecticut
against other state winners in a nationwide contest. The winner of the competition will
earn $30,000 towards a college of their choice, and he or she will win their school a $50,000
technology package. The competition has been running since 2008, and is a way to celebrate
student artwork across the country. Winners of the contest will have their artwork displayed
on the Google homepage. We can support our Colchester/CT State winner by voting for her
beginning through July 12, 2022 at https://doodles.google.com/d4g/
Board of Education
July 12, 2022 – Regular Meeting
5. PRIORITY DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
5.1 Election of Officers: Secretary of the Board
Motion by: C. Rivers
to postpone the election until a new member has been appointed to the Board.
Second by: R. Gignac.
Vote: Opposed: D. Antonacci.
In favor: All others. Vote 5-1 to approve.
5.2 Update to the 2022-2023 School Year Calendar
Dr. McDowell presented the Board with a revised calendar noting in 2023 that
January 2 will be a holiday and it was not noted on the current calendar. Also, Dr.
McDowell proposed taking out the language to replace snow days and just add
snow days at the end of the year as needed.
Motion by: M. Gignac
to approve the revised 2022-2023 School Year Calendar.
Second by: D. Antonacci.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
5.3 Status of Board Vacancy.
Chair Oliphant said he has received eight applications for the Board vacancy.
Discussion followed for dates to interview the candidates. It was agreed to interview all
candidates. Chair Oliphant will send the applications to Board members for review.
5.4 Update for High School Principal Position
Dr. McDowell is reviewing job descriptions and looking at previous process for
interviewing for the superintendent and principal positions. It is expected to post the
opening for the principal by the end of this week and hire by October 1, 2022.
5.5 Policy 9221 – Filling Board Vacancies
This policy was on a previous agenda for a first reading. At this time if it is approved,
it will be in place for the recent vacancy.
Motion by: D. Antonacci
to approve Policy 9221 – Filling Board Vacancies.
Second by: C. Rivers.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
6 CONSENT AGENDA
6.1 Approval of Minutes from June 14, 2022
Motion by: D. Antonacci
to approve the minutes of June 14, 2022, with the correct spelling of D. Antonacci.
Second by: M. Tomasi.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
6.2 Approval of Minutes from July 6, 2022
Motion by: D. Antonacci
to approve the minutes of July 6, 2022, meeting as read.
Second by: M. Gignac.
Vote: Abstaining: M. Tomasi, absent from meeting.
In favor: All others. 5-1 to approve.
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Board of Education
July 12, 2022 – Regular Meeting
7 REPORTS FROM BOARD LIAISONS
7.1 Reports from Board Liaisons
1. Board of Selectman – D. Antonacci - No report
2. Board of Finance – M. Gignac stated the Board will meet tomorrow and are
discussing a possible September date for the next referendum.
3. P&R Parent Commission: C. Rivers - no July meeting.
4. PTO Collaborative: M. Gignac meetings will resume in the Fall.
5. C3 Collaborative: Vacant - No report.
6. Commission on Aging – M. Tomasi - A meeting was held July 11, ground breaking
for the Senior Center is tentative for September.
7. CORE: Vacancy - No report
8. Youth and Social Services: R. Gignac - No report.
8 BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS and INFORMATION ITEMS
8.1 Next Meetings
• Tuesday, July 26, 2022 – Special Meeting
• Tuesday, August 9, 2033
• Tuesday, August 23, 2022
• Tuesday, September 13, 2022
• Tuesday, October 11, 2022
• Tuesday, October 25, 2022
• Tuesday, November 8, 2022
• Tuesday, November 22, 2022
• Tuesday, December 13, 2022
• Tuesday, December 27, 2022
8.2 Monthly Student Enrollment is at 2180 students as of July 11, 2022.
8.3 Notices of Retirement/Resignation
The following have submitted letters of resignations:
1. Kara Clarkin
2. Meghan Davis
3. Nancy Cordone
4. Kathleen Butler
5. Tyler DelGaizo
6. Joseph Ferraro
9. PUBLIC COMMENT
Brien Brown said he thought the date of April 1 is the time when a graduation date may be
set.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Oliphant adjourned this meeting at 7:05 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Jane Slade
Recording Secretary
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